Hey guys, I have been reading about other folk's charging issues but haven't found an answer for mine. My brand new battery will test at 12.8 as it sits.
When I test the Voltage output at the battery with the bike running, I am getting 12.5-12.6. It does not change when I rev up the bike. I also tested it at the regulator output wire, same thing. When I get home today I will disconnect the regulator and test the gennie. I got back from a 3 hr ride last weekend and the battery was at 10.8....slow draw. Lucky I made it home.
What would make it put out only 12.5 CONSTANT volts? I figured if the regulator was bad it would be very low, nothing, or spiked?
Another charging question
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Please do not start new topics here, but here: New Panhead and Flathead topics
Please do not start new topics here, but here: New Panhead and Flathead topics
Re: Another charging question
Ok, so I disconnected the regulator. Connected the volt meter to the A post and a ground. It read -1.5 to -1.6 revved up, -.99 at idle. I polarized the gennie, same reading. Then I grounded the Field coil to get the max output reading and got -0.15. Now for some reason my voltmeter always reads negatives, but I don't know what the readings are telling me. Is the generator bad or is something else happening?
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john HD
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Re: Another charging question
yup it needs to come out and get serviced.
the best test is to see if the headlight gets brighter when you rev it up!
john
the best test is to see if the headlight gets brighter when you rev it up!
john
Re: Another charging question
I took the generator off and will take it to someone for tests. It appears OK, not excessively dirty or greasy. All of my charge system components are about 18 months old. None of it makes sense to me.
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steve_wood
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Re: Another charging question
You'll need to find somebody with a growler to check for shorts.
Cotten: Show 'em a picture of your growler!
Cotten: Show 'em a picture of your growler!
Re: Another charging question
OK, so I ran out of contacts to find someone with a growler. I will bench test it tonight, maybe make a growler by holding it against the bench grinder wire wheel.
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Cotten
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Re: Another charging question
Steve!steve_wood wrote:You'll need to find somebody with a growler to check for shorts.
Cotten: Show 'em a picture of your growler!
Which one? My most important and beloved growler is off to her day job, supporting me. Folks, the Service Manual has excellent pics and directions for its use.
SuperP!
A growler only inspect the armature, removed from the rest of the assembly. Testing the assembly is a different procedure, also explicit in the Service Manual.
....Cotten
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Re: Another charging question
Cotten wrote:SuperP!
A growler only inspect the armature, removed from the rest of the assembly. Testing the assembly is a different procedure, also explicit in the Service Manual.
....Cotten
Got it, thanks. Will continue mission...